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Review of the Forestry Acts

Consultative Group Updates

Welcome to the Web Page of the Consultative Group on the Review of Forestry Legislation. This Group was established by the Department of Agriculture and Food at the end of 2005 to inform it's thinking in the final stages of its review of the Forestry Acts. The Group is chaired by Dr. Ronan O'Flaherty, Principal Officer, Forest Service and made up by representatives of the following organisations:

  • Department of Agriculture and Food (Administration)
  • Department of Agriculture and Food Forestry (Forest Inspectorate)
  • Irish Forestry Industry Chain
  • Irish Farmers Association
  • National Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD)
  • Tree Council of Ireland
  • National Park and Wildlife Service (Department of Environment Heritage & Local Government)
  • Local Authorities City & County Managers Association

Role of the Consultative Group

The Group has been assigned the following Terms of Reference

  • To critically evaluate the existing Forestry Acts in light of modern administrative requirements.
  • To consider what operational issues, which are not currently regulated by Legislation, need to be included in any new Act.
  • To assess and evaluate submissions and make decisions on their content vis-á-vis inclusion in Primary Legislation.

The focus of the Consultative Group will be on the operational provisions of the Forestry Acts, concentrating primarily on the Forestry Act 1946 and the Forestry Act 1946 (Part IV) Regulations 1949. However, the review will not confine itself to simply 'updating' existing administrative provisions, but will also try to draw up a new Act which deals comprehensively with the much more diverse role that forestry plays in modern Ireland.

In carrying out our task, we will be examining upward of 26 submissions received by the Forest Service since the Review process began. We are hopeful that we will be finished our work by mid-2006, following which draft heads of a Bill will be prepared to go to Government. The Group aims to meet approximately once a month between January and June 2006 and we will be issuing bulletins on this Web page after each meeting so that the public can update themselves on what we are at...so watch this space!

Should you have any comments on any content of this Web page, please contact Philip Carr in the Forest Service who is acting as Secretary to the Group. Philip can be contacted at Forest Service, Department of Agriculture & Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford;

Tel: 053-60180
Email: philip.carr@agriculture.gov.ie